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Comedian Bernie Mac Dead Unexpectedly; Russia Invades Georgia; American Killed Outside the Olympic Games in China; John Edwards Extramarital Affair; Mary McFate Suspected of Spying for the NRA; Girl Traumatized by Sight of Police Officers; From the Hood to Hollywood; McCain and Obama Speaks Out on Russia and Georgia Situation

Aired August 09, 2008 - 22:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Comedian Bernie Mac is dead, unexpectedly. Now the questions we try to answer in a special report from Chicago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm going to respond to these lies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Speaking of questions, so many left over for Senator John Edwards after he talks about his other woman and her baby.

Russia invades. The words alone send shivers. New pictures, new details and new denials from Russia's ambassador.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: So, are you essentially here on the air on CNN saying that unless they pull out of South Ossetia, your troops will remain there?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: An interview bound to make news.

An American killed, another attacked outside the Olympic Games in China. And one of the most curious stories you'll ever see anywhere. What in the world? The news starts now.

Hi, everybody, I'm Rick Sanchez. Quickly, before we get started, this just in to the CNN NEWSROOM. Raw words from the shocked family of the American couple brutally attacked today outside the Olympics in Beijing. I want you to listen to this man. He is the cousin of the American killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DALE BACHMAN, TODD BACHMAN'S COUSIN: I was told that Todd was a few steps behind Barbara and Elizabeth. And when the attack happened, Barbara heard Todd. She turned, went back toward Todd and that's when she was attacked. To me, that was a strong indication of her love. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: All right, again, that is going to be our second story. Some of the information on that still coming in. We're going to begin with this, though. With war, as in bombs falling, as in 2,000 people now dead, after the Russians invade in and around the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, specifically, a rugged little region that's called South Ossetia.

Russian war planes are in the skies there tonight. And people, rightfully so, are scared.

These are some of the sounds and some of the pictures that we have been getting in throughout the course of the evening. Bloody pictures in at least five cities in Georgia. Bombs fell on apartment buildings, train stations and civilian areas. The 2,000 dead figure comes from a Russian diplomat who says that many people have died since the cross border tensions erupted two days ago.

We, by the way, at CNN have not been able to confirm those numbers. Russia seems to believe that people in South Ossetia are their people, and that they need defending. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, today, there you see him landing in the middle of this mess with very harsh words for the now Democratic government of Georgia.

Also caught in the middle of this mess, an Olympics visiting George W. Bush being asked to step up and defend a democracy but can he, but will he?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Georgia is a sovereign nation. And its territorial integrity must be respected. We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand down by all troops. The call for an end to the Russian bombings and a return by the parties to the status quo of August the 6th.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: As this conflict escalades, we care because much of the world's oil comes from this region. Did you know? And the price of gas is already high enough for most of us. Also, because we fear that somehow this thing could escalate even more and as Americans we fear we could be pulled into this mess.

Georgia's president has long bragged about being a U.S. ally. Here he talks today to CNN about his country being under attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. MIKHAIL SAAKASHVILI, GEORGIA: I spoke today with President Bush. And I did express from support as well as Senator Obama and Senator McCain with whom I spoke several times. It's so clear now that there should be a ceasefire, there should be disengagement, there should be internationalization of peace process and mediation and protection of civilian population. Right now, people are in danger -- children, women, I mean small kids have been killed and you know we really (INAUDIBLE). And the world has public. Georgia cannot sit on its own. Georgia will protect itself. We're a small democracy, but we are a small nation of less than 5 million people. We'll try to protect ourselves, but only we cannot stop the violence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: All right. Obviously, this thing is a mess. Just a short time ago, I spoke with Russia's ambassador to the United Nations. I asked him flat out if his aim is to, quote, "keep the peace" why then Mr. Ambassador, I said so much killing?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Peacekeeping implies that you're trying to stand between them to keep them from attacking each other. But it sounds more by implication if nothing else like you're there attacking the Georgians for the sake of --

VITALLY CHURKIN, RUSSIAN AMB. TO UNITED NATIONS: You're absolutely right in your definition of peacekeeping. And we have been doing that for the past 16 years. Unfortunately as they launched the military adventure, they also attacked Russian peacekeepers. 15 peacekeepers have been killed. About 150 peacekeepers have been injured.

So it's a great violation on the part of Georgia's international law, both, in terms of breaking peace agreements which have existed for the past 16 years, attacking the peacekeepers and attacking the civilian population in such massive scale.

(CROSSTALK)

SANCHEZ: So it sounds like you've had enough, and what you're doing now is attacking the Georgians?

CHURKIN: No. It's not that, we lost patience. It's that, well, we came here in defense of the civilian population. We have 30,000 refugees from South Ossetia, of the small people on the territory of the Russian federation now. And as I said, 2,000 people killed. Enough is enough.

SANCHEZ: So you are attacking the Georgians?

CHURKIN: No, we're not attacking the Georgians. We are repelling the Georgian aggression from the territory of South Ossetia, and sometimes in such situations, you also have to take care of military infrastructure which is there supporting their aggressive acts.

If there are some civilian casualties in Georgia outside of Ossetia, of course, we are profoundly troubled by that. But tragically such things do happen in a situation of fighting.

SANCHEZ: Vitally Churkin, the ambassador to the United Nations from Russia. It is an interesting and complicated story for many Americans. We thank you, sir, for taking us time to take us through your version of events. We appreciate it.

CHURKIN: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Tonight, an American is killed right outside the Olympics, not at all the headline that China wanted at the start of these Games. A Chinese man attacked two Americans and then killed himself. The victims are relatives of a former coach for the U.S. Olympic volleyball team.

They traveled from their home in Minneapolis to support the U.S. athletes there in China. Just moments ago, we received this report. I told you about it at the top of the show. Jona Shortal is a reporter for our Minnesota affiliate KARETV.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are simply overwhelmed.

JANA SHORTAL, KARETV REPORTER (voice-over): It was difficult to say the very least for Dale Bachman to choose what he will miss most about his cousin, Todd Bachman.

DALE BACHMAN, VICTIM'S COUSIN: I would say his friendship, his knowledge of the family and the business. And really his love and dedication to both.

SHORTAL: Todd was murdered yesterday in Beijing, China. His wife seriously injured when a 47-year-old man attacked them with a knife while they were touring the Drum tower with a guide and their daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a former Olympian and is married to the US men's volleyball coach.

Dale Bachman says the U.S. Olympic family has always been family to the Bachman's.

BACHMAN: The U.S. Olympic family is another family for Todd and Barbara. They were very excited about making this trip China.

SHORTAL: The brutal, senseless murder of Todd Bachman, the CEO of Bachmans here in the twin city cast a dark cloud over day one of Olympic competition in china, a country that has been very focused on showing the world they could put on an Olympic Games safely. But here at home in Minnesota this tragedy is hard to stomach.

BACHMAN: We are simply overwhelmed with the gratitude and the outpouring of sympathy and well wishes from all over the world.

SHORTAL: When asked about Barbara Bachman, Dale decided there was no better way to describe her than describe her actions yesterday when her family was under attack.

DALE BACHMAN, TODD BACHMAN'S COUSIN: I was told that Todd was a few steps behind Barbara and Elizabeth. And when the attack happened, Barbara heard Todd. She turned, went back toward Todd and that's when she was attacked. To me, that was a strong indication of her love. She also is a fabulous woman.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: And one begins to wonder what the implications are going to be of this. Once again, that is Jona Shortal from KARETV in Minneapolis.

Bernie Mac's death tonight is leaving so many people stunned. Tonight, we're looking into the specifics of the killer that got him. That most of us know absolutely nothing about.

Also, a newly released statement from the mistress of John Edwards. We're back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It is the next president who will have to deal with this growing conflict between Russia and Georgia. McCain and Obama, both, are weighing in tonight. That's ahead.

It came as a complete shock to a lot of people. News that Bernie Mac, a certified king of comedy has died. And even more shocking is what he died of. Our Don Lemon is in Chicago with not only how he died but with the personal story of how his last moments were as told by his own family.

We should tell you that Don has worked in Chicago and returned there after he heard the news.

Don, good to see you, my friend. What did you find out?

DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good to see you, Rick. Actually, I've talked to his wife who is now his widow. And I found out that people here absolutely in Chicago still love Bernie Mac. He is the guy who did well. He is the hometown boy who went from rags to riches. It just so happens that the second largest parade in the country which happened to be an African-American parade was going on here.

The Bud Billiken Parade was going on in Chicago when people found out about Bernie Mac's death. And people who he grew up in the ranks with, so to speak, Steve Harvey and other people just happened to be in town for this parade and got the shocking news as well.

And Rick, I told you earlier when we're talking on the phone, I spoke to his wife. And she obviously was heart broken about exactly what happened. But she laid out in fine detail exactly what happened to him over the last couple of weeks. How they met in high school as high school sweethearts at CVH, Chicago Vocational High School here, on the south side, how they grew up together, so to speak. They were children. They got married, one was 16, one was 19 when they finished high school.

And then she told me, you know, she thought the sarcoidosis, which I know you're going to talk about a little bit later. They thought it was in remission until he developed pneumonia again, three weeks ago, Thursday, and had to go on to the hospital. And then she takes me through exactly what happened. How they induced him into coma so that the medication would work better and work properly. And then he would come out of the coma once they stopped giving him the medication. And he would want the ventilator taken out of his mouth because it was uncomfortable.

But yet, she had to follow doctor's orders. And then, over those couple of three weeks, they developed this communication with each other with gestures and with eyes so she knew exactly what he was saying. And then she told me about the very last moments of his life and what she experienced and what happened to him as well.

SANCHEZ: And you're going to file a report for us that we're going to be bringing to our viewers in just a little bit. It is coming, I think in about 20 minutes or so, as you guys prepare it and put everything ready. I know you got to kind of dot the I's across the Ts on that.

Let me ask you something before you go that I'm very curious about, that a lot of folks here had been talking about as well. Was there any expectation among members of his family, among people close to him that something like this could happen? That it could be fatal?

LEMON: Well, it wasn't an expectation that something like this would happen. I mean, they all knew. It was 1984 when he was diagnosed, Rick, with sarcoidosis after he's playing a basketball game. He was doing, you know, just pickup basketball at the gym or at the local high school. And he was getting short of breath.

The first diagnosis by the first doctor was cancer. And then the second diagnosis was sarcoidosis. So he had been sick before and had come through this. So even doctors and family members all thought that he was going to be OK. That the medication would kick in. He would kick this second bout or third bout of pneumonia and then come home and everything would be fine.

So it really did come as a shock to them even though he had been sick again for three weeks.

SANCHEZ: It sounds like it's going to be a very -- as usual, it's going to be a very good story that you're preparing for us.

LEMON: Yes, you don't want to miss it, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Because what it does is it really gets us in the mix, you know? I mean, it makes us understand what it's like for his family as opposed to --

LEMON: You're going to hear things here that you don't hear in any other report. As I said I spoke to the family as they were laughing, crying, going through family albums, the minister was over. They were doing prayer. And I was on the phone with them and talking to them while all of this was going on. And his wife is talking to me and crying and laughing all at the same time.

You're going to hear stuff in this story that we're going to give you that you really won't hear anywhere else, even among the big entertainment organizations.

SANCHEZ: We're going to have that, and we're going to have that hopefully in about 20 or 25 minutes. Don Lemon, thanks so much. We'll be going back to that in a bit.

Let's go back to the topic that we had brought up a little while ago. Because just talking with people within my own circles, people you see behind me here, members of the staff here at CNN, members of my own family, who was shocked when they heard this news.

We ask ourselves how many people even know what this is? I've never heard of sarcoidosis. Let's get more information on it. We're joined now by Dr. Peter Dicpinigaitis. He is a pulmonary lung specialist. He is joining us now from Armonk, New York.

Doctor, let's just start. Short answer if, you could. What is sarcoidosis?

VOICE OF: DR. PETER DICPINIGAITIS, PULMONARY LUNG SPECIALIST: Hi, Rick. Unfortunately with sarcoidosis, there won't be a short answer. But it's true that although no one has really heard of it outside the medical field, it's not an uncommon illness. We don't know what causes it. But it is not at all uncommon.

It affects men and women. Affects folks of all ages, all races. It is found worldwide.

SANCHEZ: Well, how did he go from sarcoidosis to pneumonia? How did that happen?

DICPINIGAITIS: Well, you know, I don't know. I don't have the specific details of this case. I don't know what I'm going to report but --

(CROSSTALK)

SANCHEZ: Here, let me rephrase the question. Is it common for someone to have sarcoidosis to go from having the disease to getting pneumonia to dying?

DICPINIGAITIS: Well, the most important thing about sarcoidosis to remember is that most people will never need treatment for it and the illness comes and goes and the symptoms of it are very mild. It is possible that he did have remission of sarcoidosis like the report said in 2005, and that this pneumonia from which he died had nothing to do with his history of sarcoidosis.

Or another possibility was that the sarcoidosis that he had might have caused some lung damage and might have made him more vulnerable to the pneumonia from which he died. So, both are possibilities.

SANCHEZ: Unbelievable information. Thanks so much, doctor. We thank you for filling us in on these possibilities. I'm sure a lot of folks are going to be asking those questions, and maybe within the next couple of days we might have some of the answers. Thanks, again. Coming up, CNN has new information on John Edwards' mistress, and what she is saying about a paternity test to find out who her baby's father is. Is it him? That's next.

And then, just a little bit later, did the NRA hire a spy, a mole to infiltrate anti-gun groups? Would they do that? We've got the details.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: All right, this video is as wild as it gets. Bear versus moose. Who wins? That's ahead.

First though, the . Tonight, we learn that the other woman, Rielle Hunter has no intention of having tests done to determine that John Edwards is or is not her baby's father. Even though members of her family do want a paternity test. From her lawyer, these words.

"She wishes to maintain her privacy and her daughter's privacy. Furthermore, Rielle will not participate in DNA testing or any other invasion of her or her daughter's privacy now or in the future."

The fact is by admitting part of the story, John Edwards is now being asked to reveal all of the story including his actions in a hotel last month. Here now, how it all came about.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ (voice-over): Like transgression admitting politicians before him, John Edwards didn't say the other woman's name. And he didn't use the "A" word as in affair. His word, mistake.

EDWARDS: In 2006, I told Elizabeth about the mistake. I asked her for her forgiveness. I asked God for his forgiveness.

SANCHEZ: It was his confirmation of what the tabloids had been not whispering about, but outright shouting about. And what Edwards himself had shrug off as recently as 16 days ago.

QUESTION: When you were running for president, you flat out denied having a relationship with Rielle Hunter. Did you give me a truthful answer? Were you telling the truth then?

EDWARDS: Yes.

SANCHEZ: No. No, he wasn't. John Edwards, a former senator who at the time looked like he had a real shot at the Democratic nomination for president, he had cheated with a woman who worked behind the campaign scenes, not a news flash to readers of certain celebrity- obsessed newspapers. Nor to the people who write for them.

ALEXANDER HITCHEN, NATIONAL ENQUIRER: I said Mr. Edwards, Alexander Hitchen from the "National Enquirer." Would you like to comment on why you were at this hotel tonight with your mistress, Rielle Hunter and your love child? And at that point he refused to speak with me. He got to the top of the stairs, he saw that there was a colleague of mine at the top of the stairs, turned and went straight into a restroom that was dealing with the restaurant.

SANCHEZ: The "National Enquirer" began publishing Edwards' then alleged dalliances last October. Edwards made it official in an interview televised Friday night, the same night that much of the TV viewing universe had both eyes glued on another firestorm, the one exploding festively over Beijing.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: As you watch that report, I'm thinking we probably should bring in Mark Preston for "Preston on Politics." And the thing that comes to mind is, Mark, has a story that wasn't even being talked about in the general media suddenly comes to life and because he has said something, it's now so alive that people are going to want so much more. So many more questions out there, right?

MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Yes, there are so many unanswered questions right now. You know, of course, there is a lot of talk about if he is the father of the child. You know, how is he getting along right now with his family? But look, there is also the long term questions. What happens to John Edwards politically, Rick? And that's a question we don't even have an answer to.

SANCHEZ: Well, before we go there, I mean, isn't it normal for people to want to say, you know, you got to explain -- once you get in and start talking about it, it's got to be detailed. You can't have a story out there about you being confronted by a reporter for the "National Enquirer" in a lobby saying that you went in and hid in a bathroom for 45 minutes and called security. It just doesn't make sense. People don't behave that way.

PRESTON: No. They don't. You know, unless they're trying to hide something and clearly he was, and he's acknowledged that. I will tell you, you know, the biggest unanswered question for me, Rick, and I don't know if we'll ever get an answer to this question is, you have two brilliant lawyers, John Edwards and his wife Elizabeth Edwards making a calculated decision to continue running for the White House to making a bid at a time when they knew that they had this secret.

And who would have thought that it would have gotten open? If you're running for the White House, clearly you know the odds are greater.

SANCHEZ: We've got a comment. Apparently, do we not, from the Obama side as to what their thinking in terms of his role in the convention.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: If I'm not mistaken, I think that they already indicated, the family indicated that they probably wouldn't be attending the convention. I understand that. But this is a difficult and painful time for them. And I think they need to work through that process of healing. (END VIDEO CLIP)

PRESTON: The Edwards are backing off saying -- look, we don't plan to be out in Denver which is amazing, because he would have had a prime time speech.

SANCHEZ: Is he done?

PRESTON: Short term, it's devastating he is done. Long term, it is still up in the air, Rick. But here's the deal. Even if he does try to make another run for it, what does he bring to the table?

He was only a senator for six years. Of those six years, two of them he was running for president. You know, he is a brilliant lawyer. But again, what does he bring to the table? I don't know.

SANCHEZ: Preston on Politics, nobody does it better. Mark, thanks so much.

PRESTON: Thanks Rick.

SANCHEZ: All right, look at this video. We're going to show it to you in full in just a bit. Proving John Edwards extramarital affairthat sometimes good guys doing the right thing can come out on top, sometimes.

And you heard Russia's ambassador. Evenly responding to some of my questions. There is more, by the way. We'll put it on cnn.com. How are Barack Obama and John McCain going to be able to deal with these guys? Two potential presidents from two different ears, mind you, that will end up in hairy relations with what is left of what Ronald Reagan once called the Evil Empire.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: As we begin this segment, I want you to see something. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Continued Russian behavior as we move that indicates that Russia is moving further and further from the principles and values and ideals of the G8.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: All right, here's a short cut on that. McCain says when he sees Putin, he sees KGB, those three powerful letters from people from his generation. Translation, doesn't trust those Ruskis (ph). That's ahead.

And this, you can't trust customers in a store either. If you're a robber, that is. That's the lesson to be taken away by this joker with a gun trying to rip off a convenience store when he suddenly confronted by a customer without a gun. Look at him go. Luckily, the bad guy's gun gets jammed and shoots no one. That's what Craig Stucksman (ph) tackles this would be robber and holds him until the cops get there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. DAVE WALKER, TULSA POLICE DEPARMENT: You don't want to put out there that we expect citizens to take action like that. But absolutely this gentleman here taking that type of action that he did led to the arrest and clearance of this case. And put a real bad guy behind bars.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: All right, you want to know what the real moral of the story is? Here it is. Roger, get me back on camera. Never get between a red blooded Oklahoman man and his beer run, convenience store.

All right, let me ask you this question now. We know Fidel Castro has spies in the United States. We know that the Russians have had moles on the United States government. But would the NRA, the NRA do the same thing. Would they spy on American citizens? Would they? That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Coming up, we've seen Barack Obama playing basketball. Now, he's one upped by the President of the United States. Some would ask or we ask. How about a workout with the U.S. women's volleyball team? That story is coming up. How did he do?

All right. You might picture 007 or the former KGB when you think about spies. Not a 62-year-old redhead from Sarasota, Florida, right? This woman, Mary McFate, is suspected of spying for the NRA by infiltrating gun control groups. An investigative report in "Mother Jones," a widely-read liberal magazine, found that she worked for an intelligence-gathering company hired by the NRA. She even had an alleged spy name. It was Mary Sapone. Mary, Mary.

Joining us now, Angus McQuilken. He's with one of the groups that was allegedly infiltrated. Also with us is the guy who broke the story, reporter James Ridgeway.

All right. You know, interesting enough, fellows, this story is all over the place -- the Associated Press, "Philadelphia Inquirer." ABC News has picked it up. We picked it up. But there's no response from the NRA to us or to anybody else. I wonder, as a reporter, why do you think this is?

JAMES RIDGEWAY, MOTHER JONES CORRESPONDENT: Well, I don't know. I think the NRA maybe was caught flatfooted. I think that they didn't expect this coming down.

SANCHEZ: Angus, let me come back to you with this. What can you tell us about Mary? Was anybody there at your organization ever suspicious? ANGUS MCQUILKEN, FREEDOM STATES ALLIANCE: Well, you know, by all outward appearances, this person appeared to be a committed advocate. But in retrospect, you know, one thing we noticed that she always seemed very capable of paying her own way to conferences and meetings all around the country and most activists can't afford to do that. Now we know why she could afford to that. She was bankrolled by the deep pockets of the gun lobby.

SANCHEZ: But allegedly. Did she fake you out?

MCQUILKEN: Well, I mean, I think there's a sense of betrayal, certainly. But the betrayal is not just from one person. Really, this is a betrayal of the public trust, by the gun lobby and the gun industry. And they have a lot of explaining to do.

SANCHEZ: You know, as you look at this story, you begin to wonder obviously the ethics were a problem. But is there any illegality here? James, have you looked into this?

RIDGEWAY: Well, the illegality is unknown. You know, I mean, you have this big powerful organization and a lot of the small little groups. And the idea of using a big powerful organization to, you know, penetrate these places, I don't know what the legality or illegality of it is. But it certainly raises questions about propriety.

SANCHEZ: What were they trying to do? I mean, what were they trying to accomplish with something like this?

RIDGEWAY: Well, they were -- number one, they were trying to get inside the thing and figure out who -- you know, what was going to happen, who was going to do what to whom. And there was a bunch of legal issues here. And there may have been efforts to, you know, take a look at some of the early lawyer workings on papers and legal cases.

SANCHEZ: Well, it seems wrong. Certainly, it seems un-American to most of us. You just don't spy on other Americans and you don't do it in such a - you know, in such an underhanded and certainly organized way.

But as I'm having this conversation with you, I think a lot of people at home are probably thinking the same thing, how common is this do you think? Do you think other organizations might be doing something like this? Angus, you give this a go.

MCQUILKEN: Well, I think the lesson learned here is it's possible to do. And we've taken the steps we can take. We've removed this person from our board. And, you know, grassroots organizations are never going to have the resources to conduct a full background check on every person who presents themselves and says they want to volunteer.

What we can do and are doing is adopting a stronger conflict of interest policy for board members and we're also reviewing all of our legal options both regarding the person who perpetrated this fraud and the organizations that paid her. SANCHEZ: James, let me ask you the question that my editors here at CNN would ask me after I filed a story like this. Do you feel like you've nailed this thing down? Because, you know, the NRA is not responding at all.

RIDGEWAY: Yes, I think it's nailed down. It's all nailed down not by some sort of undercover work but it's all done through legal papers, depositions and cases and court cases. It's all totally nailed down as far as I'm concerned.

SANCHEZ: Final question -- what does this tell us about the NRA? Either one of you.

MCQUILKEN: Well, I think it's telling that the NRA won't talk to the media about this. They're usually not shy about sharing their opinion. I think they don't want to answer the biggest question of all, which is, how far did this web of deception extend? Was this just about one person they were paying to do the dirty work? Or is there a whole network of people that they're paying to do their dirty work all around the country, some of whom might still be in place?

RIDGEWAY: Yes, I think that's exactly right. That's exactly the question.

SANCHEZ: We'll continue to ask it as well. James Ridgeway, who broke the story, and Angus McQuilken with one of the organizations that allegedly was infiltrated. And once again, just to be fair, we continue to invite the NRA. If they wish to make comments on the story, to reach us here and we'll be happy to provide their information to the viewers as well.

As if the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not enough, the next president will probably have to deal with Russia and Georgia now, too. Because of that picture you're looking at there. What would Barack Obama and John McCain do?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: What they are saying. Barack Obama and John McCain. We didn't expect to hear much from Senator Barack Obama today. He's on vacation, but turns out he and Senator John McCain have both now spoken today about this deadly clash that's going on in the former Soviet Union.

We've got word of Senator Obama's statement just moments ago. We have reported on Senator McCain's statement earlier in the day. This is an overseas mess that would certainly be there when one of them takes office in January.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ (voice-over): Early morning word of a crisis causes a change in plans on the campaign trail.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Good morning. I'd like to make a statement. SANCHEZ: Obama was en route to Hawaii as new details of the fighting emerged. So he went before the cameras at a refueling stop.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I am extremely concerned about what's happening there. I wholeheartedly condemn the violation of Georgia's sovereignty.

SANCHEZ: McCain delayed a visit to the Iowa state fair to speak out.

MCCAIN: Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory.

SANCHEZ: Obama says he's getting regular updates on the situation. McCain Friday had discussions with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who says he is worried about more than just the sitting president. Listen to his comment in a CNN interview.

MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI, PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA: I spoke today with President Bush. And, you know, I seek strong support as well as Senator Obama and Senator McCain with whom I spoke several times.

SANCHEZ: The Georgian president referring to Obama and McCain? Why? In a presidential campaign where foreign policy and readiness to lead have been central issues, the candidates' reaction to the escalation will be closely watched. Both are talking diplomatic solutions.

OBAMA: Now is the time for direct talks between the various parties on behalf of stability.

MCCAIN: We should immediately work with the EU and the OSCE to put diplomatic pressure on Russia to reverse this perilous course.

SANCHEZ: But listen now to what McCain said later on.

MCCAIN: By the way, continued Russian behavior as we move it indicates that Russia is moving further and further from the principles and values and ideals of the G8.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: And no doubt a story that we'll continue to follow for you including the political implications as you just saw.

And this story, another bear attack stops us in our tracks. But why should we be surprised? Look at that video. The one behind me proves their nature.

Also, the meteoric rise of Bernie Mac. That and more. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Welcome back to the world headquarters of CNN. I'm Rick Sanchez. There are people tonight in Alaska who are shaking their heads wondering what is going on? There have been a bunch of bear attacks that have been happening in Alaska recently. The latest, last night. Listen to this.

A grizzly bear trailed by two cubs mauled a jogger in a city park in Anchorage. No, not out in the woods, at a city park. It happened in a 4,000-acre park, but it's butted up against wilderness right in the metro park of the city.

Despite being about bitten all over her body, she did manage to hike back down to a trail and flag down a car and somehow get some help. Now, some people believe it's the same bear that chased a mountain biker and came close to hurting a cross country runner just last month.

And then remember this? This, from last week. A couple in Eagle River, Alaska, shots this amazing home video. This is a bear attacking a moose in their neighborhood. They said they heard an odd noise in their front yard, went out to check it out, and that's what they saw. There it is again for your viewing pleasure.

Coming up, a teacher for students who can't get along with other teachers. You're about to meet a real hero.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Tonight a story about a family's outrage in New York City. A mother of a 10-year-old girl is furious. Police allegedly handcuffed her daughter on a school bus. And the girl admits that, look, she was misbehaving as girls often do. But her family said she didn't do anything illegal and she's now traumatized by the very sight of police officers. Here's CNN's Jim Acosta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Taniesha Pearson worries her daughter I'Mecca will never look at a police officer the same way again. Not after what I'Mecca says one uniformed New York police officer did to her on her school bus last January.

I'MECCA PEARSON, 10 YEARS OLD: He put the handcuffs on me. He slammed me down on a chair and put his knee in my back.

ACOSTA: I'Mecca admits she and her friends were acting up on the bus, but her mother says that's no excuse. When she tried to get an explanation from police and school officials, Taniesha Pearson says she ran into a wall of silence. So, last week, I'Mecca's mother filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages.

TANIESHA PEARSON, MOTHER: It hurts every day. You know, the fact that she -- the police is who are here to protect us. And she is scared of them. She sees a police, she hides. She runs. It's ridiculous.

ACOSTA: The family's lawyer hopes to force police and school officials to set some better ground rules for dealing with unruly children.

NORMAN SIEGEL, PEARSON FAMILY ATTORNEY: Our position is that absent criminal activity, police should not be putting metal handcuffs on 10- year-olds.

ACOSTA: Jasmina Vazquez says a New York school safety officer cuffed her 5-year-old son Dennis after he threw a tantrum in class earlier this year.

JASMINA VAZQUEZ, MOTHER OF 5-YEAR-OLD: I don't understand what could have -- what my son could have possibly done to deserve to be handcuffed to a chair.

ACOSTA: Legal analyst Richard Herman says I'Mecca Pearson's case will be difficult to prove.

RICHARD HERMAN, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The issue is we're only hearing one side of the facts and circumstances surrounding this.

ACOSTA: City officials aren't commenting on either alleged handcuffing case citing the pending litigation. Taniesha Pearson hopes her case will help her daughter to learn to trust the men and women responsible for her daughter's safety.

T. PEARSON: Maybe one day. We're working on it.

ACOSTA: Jim Acosta, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: His hit TV show was deemed comedy with a purpose. That's what got Bernie Mac the coveted Peabody Award. From the hood to Hollywood. That's coming up.

Also, a teacher for students who can't get along with teachers. That's right. And somebody steps in, a real hero. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: When you think about retirement you picture palm trees, right? I think about golf, lots of golf. And finally being able to kick back. Well, what about teaching hundreds of struggling schoolchildren in a foreign country? It may not sound that very relaxing but that's the type of retirement that has given today's CNN hero the experience of a lifetime.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VIOLA VAUGHN, CHAMPIONING CHILDREN: When a girl reaches the age when she can help in the house, the mother starts keeping this girl at home. That girl begins missing school, missing homework and she starts to fail. It's a downward cycle.

My name is Viola Vaughn. I came to Senegal from Detroit, Michigan. I started a girl's education and self-sufficiency program. We take girls who have already failed in school. They learn how to perfect a skill, to produce products for export.

In the sewing workshop they make sheets, they make dolls. They make any kind of household linens. Half of the funds goes back to them. The other remainder goes into the education program.

Come on, give me a hug. We do this all the time. They are passing school. They are opening businesses. I see the success.

Right now, we already have seven girls in university.

It's their program and they run everything. I'm there just to make sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed.

Here I am retired and this is the best job I have ever had in my life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Startling news once again from the entertainment world. The founding king of comedy has died, Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications that were due to pneumonia. Now that report we promised by Don Lemon who went to Chicago and spent time talking with Bernie Mac's widow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bernie Mac had a dirty mouth, but, boy, was he funny?

BERNIE MAC, COMEDIAN: I just want to have fun.

LEMON: Funny enough to make him a superstar and a box office hit. Good friend and fellow comedian Steve Harvey was in town attending a parade when Mac died at a Chicago hospital not far away.

STEVE HARVEY, COMEDIAN: I mean really, really knocks you down a big. But, you know, my heart really goes out to his wife of over 25 years, his kids, you know. Bernie was a great family guy, man. Great, great family man. Great father, you know. And my heart goes out to those people.

LEMON: His wife Rhonda tells me they were high school sweethearts and married a few years later. His sense of humor charmed me, she says. We did not have a thing. He told me, girl, you better get onboard this train because I'm going to be rich one day. I said, OK.

(on camera): Before Hollywood came calling, there was a south side of Chicago where Bernie Mac honed his comedic skills in comedy clubs like this one, right in his own neighborhood.

(voice-over): It was a true rags-to-riches story. His wife tells me Mac not only worked the local comedy jet land (ph) circuit, as she called it, but to make ends meet, he do standup on subway trains and would take odd jobs anywhere he could.

In 1990, his big break, Mac won the Miller Lite comedy classic, a $3,000 prize. As a family, we jumped for joy when he won, his wife says. We put most of it in the bank and we had a small party. Mac hit the road hard as an opening act, then a featured performer. The movie roles came. So did a hit TV show. Mac came down with pneumonia brought on by a disease he was diagnosed with in 1984 -- sarcoidosis.

Dee Dee Davis played Mac's daughter on the show.

DEE DEE DAVIS, ACTRESS: I remember like we had to do scenes without him because he was sick. I didn't know what he was sick with. But I guess it came back and it got worse.

LEMON (on camera): Was this towards the end of the show or --

DAVIS: This was towards like the end.

LEMON (voice-over): He recovered and the disease went into remission, until this summer when he developed pneumonia again. His wife says he went to the hospital three weeks ago Thursday. He had trouble breathing. He had a fever. His back was hurting. Doctors induced him into a coma. They expected him to recover.

But on Friday, close to midnight, he opened his eyes and Rhonda said, I know you're tired but don't leave me. He shrugged his shoulders, closed his eyes and the blood pressure dropped very low. He went into cardiac arrest. They revived him once for about an hour. They tried reviving him again and then she said, he was gone.

Don Lemon, CNN, Atlanta.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: If there's one picture that photographers often live for and President Bush is giving many photographers many of those moments. Someone like President Bush steps off on the sand with two of the best volleyball players in the world and learns about tradition, like how to pat her on the back.

In this case, the custom team made out the slapping of each other on the rear. The President there showing great diplomacy as U.S. defending champion Misty May-Treanor joked around with him.

The President also took a spin on an Olympic mountain bike, of course, and cheered on other U.S. athletes. Next up, the men's and women's swimming events.

Before we go, I want to tell you about something new that we're doing here. It's something called twittering. You know what twittering is? You can keep up with what we are doing day to day -- and certainly what I'm doing and my staff is doing as we put this newscast together every day. That's right. We twitter. Sign up for it. Updates on www.twitter.com/richsanchezcnn.

Thanks again for joining us. By the way, for those of you wondering whether the moose got away from the bear in that story we told you earlier. Go to my twitter and find out. Good night.